BTS Releases Fifth Album Arirang After Hiatus

BTS returned to the global music scene on March 20, 2026, releasing their fifth studio album, "Arirang," after a nearly four-year hiatus prompted by mandatory military service for all seven members. The septet—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—marked the occasion with a free concert the following day at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, drawing an estimated 260,000 fans and streamed live on Netflix to millions worldwide.

The album, a 14-track project blending BTS's signature sound with Korean folk elements, draws its title from the traditional song "Arirang," evoking themes of longing, resilience, and reunion that mirror the group's time apart. Recorded primarily during a two-month stay in Los Angeles in summer 2025, shortly after the members' discharges, "Arirang" features contributions from all seven, including introspective lyrics and high-energy anthems. The lead single, "Swim," debuted at No. 1 on Spotify's Global Top 50, amassing over 15 million streams in its first day and surpassing 100 million globally within eight days, the fastest for any song in 2026.

In its debut week, "Arirang" shattered multiple records. It sold 4.2 million physical copies in South...